Argentina France

France 12 - Argentina 17

Bernard Laporte must be fuming! This morning (NZ time), 15 plucky Argentinians turned up and rained on France's opening ceremony parade by playing a game of tenacious defence and passion.

If the old cliche about Les Bleus: 'you never know which French team will turn up' is true - then certainly the French D team were out in force last night. I thought France were particularly let down by poor handling, nerves and lack of game plan. This probably wasn't helped by a very average first five combination of Mignoni and Skrela (surely Laporte can find someone better than these haphazard 'generals')? Their slow decision making and sloppy skills let down an entire backline that had limited chances to get in front of the gain line or produce any kind of flow.

In contrast - Argentina had it all over the French from explosiveness to backchat. Half back Augustin Pichot and fly half Juan Martin Hernandez out thought their opposites and directed the game fearlessly. Rallying their troops to never give up; Contempori slotted goal after goal in the first half, and a stunning breakaway try (the only one of the match) by Igancio Corleto must mean Los Pumas surely fancy their chances as this Rugby World Cup tournament begins.

For Match Report and Stats - check out Matt @ Green and Gold Rugby.

Rugby World Cup Finalists....

I’m as one eyed as the next New Zealander and I think that the All Blacks will reach the final. (translation, I pray they will be in the final). The question is – who will be the other team to make it for the last dance on 22 October? After the poor showing of Ireland in the last couple of Rugby World Cup friendlies, people have all but written them off. But are they really that bad? Will the Pumas and Les Bleus string them alive - or is this just wishful thinking for some people? Meanwhile, as much as everyone has dissed the English, there is something about them that might suggest they’re coming into form. (Ok, there is nothing to suggest that at the moment but I don’t like being mean).

Meanwhile the Southern Hemisphere media is (some might say arrogantly) consumed with the fact that France and the Tri Nations teams are the only true challengers. The question is – out of France, South Africa and Australia – who will be the team to make the final? Will France blow a gasket; South Africa a punch and Stirling a forward pass? Which one of these teams is guaranteed a spot in Rugby World Cup history?